What girl doesn’t love receiving flowers? But when it comes to picking them for your wedding day how do you know which ones to go for and which florist to go with? They undoubtedly have the potential to add a little special sparkle to your big day, so here’s a few tips our recent brides have used to make sure they get it right…

Be clear on your budget

We know that when it comes to planning a wedding your budget can be pulled in many different directions. Be clear and strict on what you spend in each area; as a rule of thumb, flowers and floral displays will usually account for 10% of your overall budget.

This will of course depend on the style of your wedding; if you’re keeping it minimal you can lower that figure, whilst if you’re wanting them to be a real feature of your ceremony and reception you may need to adjust upwards. The important thing is that you have a realistic budget to achieve the wedding you’re dreaming of.

Have a look around

The sound of homework may send shivers down your spine, but searching for flowers needn’t be a chore for you and your partner. Two places which will be a valuable source of information and inspiration are Instagram (search for those hashtags) and Pinterest.

The most important thing here is to get a feel for what you both like; once you’ve agreed you can then chat with local florists and your venue to get even more information and ideas.

Decide what level of styling you desire

When you picture your wedding do you envisage your ceremony and reception rooms filled with an abundance of florals and fauna? Or would you rather forgo embellishing the venue and just focus on your creative attention on bouquets, button holes and table decorations? From your research you may have gathered images of large installations and grand creations hanging from rafters, but this may have been from admiration rather than reality – it’s easy to get carried away!

Get professional help!

You may be lucky enough to have a loved one with heaps of creative flair and a willingness to help you out, but if you’re not confident enough to take on the task there are plenty of talented florists out there; we have a couple of top choices listed on our recommended suppliers page. Although it may look easy and effortless, there is a lot of skill involved in the craft and sometimes it is best left to the professionals.

The benefits of being exclusive

There are many benefits to hiring an exclusive use venue for your wedding day and this extends to your flowers. At Launcells Barton couples are able to decorate the venue as they wish, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have and guide you as to what’s worked particularly well for some of our previous brides.

We’re here to make sure you have the perfect day – from blooms to bunting.

If you’d like more information on holding your wedding at Launcells Barton then please do give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Back in December, on a bright Winter’s day Ailsa and Phil, along with the help of their two little girls tied the knot in front of all their friends and family!

If ever people think they can’t organise a wedding in under a year, Ailsa and Phil are perfect proof that it can be done and planned to perfection with no detail missed! Having given themselves only 4 months due to Phil’s leave from the Marines!

I have to admit I do love a Winter wedding, just as much as I love a Summer wedding! Yes you don’t always know what the weather is going to do, but as long as you have inside and outside options, it doesn’t really matter. Winter and Summer are just very different weddings, but both have their charms! A Winter wedding the sun sets earlier, so you get all the atmosphere of the candles flickering away, guests all cosy inside with hot mulled wine and, if you can’t add a bit of sparkle at Christmas, then when can you?! Ailsa and Phil’s wedding was all those things and more!

Ailsa got ready in the house with her friends and two little girls by her side, while Phil got into his uniform with all his friends at the couple’s house. Ailsa had the most stunning beaded grey dress from Needle and Thread and her bridesmaids wore mix matched 3/4 length grey, white and pink dresses which fitted the laid back feel of the wedding perfectly. The bridal party’s make up was perfected by one of our faves and recommended supplier Lizzy Couch.

The groomsmen soon arrived and welcomed guests in the Snug Bar, before everyone began to take their seats.

Ailsa was walked down the aisle by her Dad, while her Bridesmaids walked down the aisle with the couple’s two little girls.

Guests were then offered Mulled Wine and Cider in the Snug Bar, while the newlyweds had a bit of time together before being welcomed back into the Mill Barn for speeches and a few surprises!

The couple’s speeches were really relaxed and very personal, with the Groom even singing a song he’d written for his new Wife!

Guests were then asked to make their way to the reception barn, while Ailsa & Phil had a bit of time with their family.

I had a very special little helper get all the guests up on their feet by clinking the glass, ready to announce the newlyweds for the first time to all their friends and family!

Their guests enjoyed slow roast beef with all the trimmings provided by The Woodfired Kitchen, before they got the pizza oven all fired up serving mini calzone pizzas throughout the whole evening. They were such a fantastic take on the traditional Cornish pastie!

Rebecca Roundhill one of our recommended suppliers and all round fabulous photographer captured all these beautiful images for Ailsa & Phil’s day. It’s so great having Rebecca with us during a wedding, she is a burst of sunshine and is just so relaxed- which is what years of experience brings!

A few words from Ailsa-I’m struggling with where to start, because it’s so difficult to put into words just how wonderful our day was. From the moment we met Lara and looked around the venue, there was no question that we were going to get married there. It really is a hidden gem. We live 3 minutes away and never even knew it existed. It had everything we wanted from a venue; a beautiful space for our ceremony in the Mill Barn, a large reception Barn for our guests to eat and be merry, a picturesque setting for capturing stunning photos, and a gorgeous farmhouse with the most amazing bridal suite you will ever see! That bathroom!

You’d think that only giving ourselves 4 months to plan our wedding would be stressful. But, I can honestly say that I enjoyed every second of the organisation. Communication between ourselves and Lara was excellent and any questions we had were promptly answered. The day itself was just perfect. Being a December wedding we almost expected bad weather. Every part of our day was inside or undercover so, rain or shine, it really didn’t matter. However, we woke up to blue skies and pink clouds over the farmhouse. It looked beautiful!

One of the best things about the venue is that it is so flexible. Whatever your vision for your wedding, I’m pretty sure it can be achieved here. We had a very relaxed, informal ceremony and we chose to do the speeches immediately after with canapes and welcome drinks in the Mill Barn, rather than during the wedding breakfast. We also had bag pipes during the ceremony, a speech delivered using a guitar and a Scottish Ceilidh in the evening. Anything is possible here!

Throughout the day Matt, Lara and their team behind the scenes made sure that everything ran smoothly. If there were any hiccups we really had no idea because we were just enjoying ourselves so much! Thank you Matt, Lara and team for all the hard work that went into making such special memories for Phil and I. We couldn’t have asked for more. I highly recommend Launcells Barton as a wedding venue: It’s beautiful, flexible, and Lara and Matt are dedicated to making your day as carefree and memorable as possible!

Ailsa and Phil’s wedding was totally relaxed and reflected them as a couple perfectly, incorporating their young family, Ailsa’s scottish roots and Phil’s duty to the Marine’s, making every special moment personal to them. We wish Ailsa and Phil a fantastic future together and sure we will see you out and about as your young family grows!

If you’d like more information on holding your wedding at Launcells Barton, then please do give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

At the end of October Storm Brian rampaged through Cornwall sending fences and furniture flying across the farm. With the storm in full swing and Brian giving everything he’d got, not even the sideways rain and 70 mph winds could wipe the smiles from Charlotte and Dan’s faces on their Wedding day!

We first met Charlotte and Dan at our Open Day event last year. we only had a muddy hole and an artists impression of what the new Reception Barn was going to look like to show them. After being taken with the renovations already completed, they set their date and quickly got on with planning their autumn wedding!

Charlotte, Dan and all their family and friends arrived the day before to decorate and set up. Everybody was laughing and joking and enjoying time together seeing all their plans taking shape! I loved chatting to Charlotte as she excitedly showed all the little touches she had put together, including the stunning artwork of the house that she had commissioned for the table plans, menus and order of service!

The Reception barn was dressed so elegantly with greenery and fairy lights hanging from beams and draped around the dinning area. Each table was dressed with candles in mix & match gold holders and vases of flowers filled with soft pinks, creams and greenery. The candles and fairy lights looked wonderful, as by the time guests sat down for the wedding breakfast, the sun was setting and the candles created a gorgeously soft lighting. All of the beautiful flowers were supplied by one of our faves and local florist Bleujen.

Charlotte got ready, on the blustery autumn morning, within the house surrounded by friends and family. Hannah Woodgates Hair Design & Laura Le Page Make Up, took care of beautifying all the bridal party! While Dan and his friends got ready at Penleaze, just a stones throw away from Launcells Barton.

I walked into the house to check on the Bridal party and was welcomed by the most stunning Bride standing in the hall surrounded by all her friends! Charlotte literally took my breath away and was beaming ear to ear!

After announcing for all their guests to take their seats in the Mill Barn and the Groom and ushers waiting nervously for the Bride to arrive, we looked out of the main doors looking for any let up from the elements! It was decided that we just had to make a dash for it, all hands were on deck to make sure the Bride and her dress were safe from the wind and rain!

We turned the Mill Barn around for the couples drinks reception and thought it was best to work around the guests this time, as some of them may have been blown away, if they had ventured to the snug bar!

It was then a quick run to the house for the couple and their bridal party for a few pictures, while guests took their seats in the Reception Barn.

The happy couple were welcomed in with cheers and applause from all their guests as we announced their Bride & Groom!

Pickle Shack provided the most wonderful catering before the speeches got underway.

It was then on to dancing and … human pyramids!

Depict Photography who shoot mainly on film captured these gorgeous images to create these beautiful memories for Charlotte and Dan!

A few words from Charlotte-Dan and I first visited Launcells Barton on a rainy January afternoon and were immediately taken with Lara and Matt’s enthusiasm and the sheer beauty of the venue. At the time the main barn was just a building site, but we could see how beautiful is was going to be and fell in love with the main house and reception barn. We knew it was the perfect venue for the relaxed feel we wanted but also enough of a blank canvas that we could make it our own. All the time, money and effort planning was completely worth it on the day – despite having an uninvited guest in the form of ‘Storm Brian’ with his gale force winds and driving rain…! Luckily Launcells Barton proved the perfect choice and the weather was soon forgotten as the beauty of the venue is as much about its interior as its exterior – a quality we had struggled to find at other venues. Lara, Matt and Alannah coordinated and supported us through the day perfectly alongside our caterers Pickleshack – who couldn’t stop gushing about the amazing kitchen! One thing that was really important to me was that the evening had a good ‘flow’, I really wanted to avoid a venue where guests were segregated into different rooms depending on whether they were at the bar, relaxing or dancing and the main barn was perfect for this – after our meal the bar doors were thrown open and everyone danced the night away no matter where they were. I honestly couldn’t fault the entire weekend and would do it all again in a heartbeat – rain included! Thank you so much to Lara, Matt, Alannah and the rest of the Launcells team for helping us create the wedding of our dreams!

The whole weekend was full of laughter and their positivity shone through, never letting the elements stop them from enjoying their weekend and always seeing the best of everything! I can even remember a hashtag being used to tell storm Brian exactly what they thought of him!! It was a pleasure to be involved in such a welcoming and joyous day and wish Charlotte and Dan nothing but happiness for their future together, we’re sure the balance of Charlotte’s creativity and Dan’s practicality is set to make the perfect partnership!

Launcells Barton is an incredibly special place for all of the team here and we’re proud and honored to share it with people on one of the most important and memorable days of their lives. We try to make it the perfect day for each and every couple, knowing that we want our service levels to match the unique and special nature of our location.

When we came to add to our team a couple of months ago we knew we needed someone that would go the extra mile for our couples, someone that would make their day even more enjoyable and most importantly stress free!

Let us introduce that someone to you – Alannah, our new Assistant Wedding Coordinator!

So Alannah, what was it that first attracted you to working at Launcells?

I’m lucky to live in the area and I’ve always had a passion for everything the North Cornwall coast has to offer. I’d visited Launcells in the past so I knew how postcard perfect the actual village and church were – when the opportunity came up to work at Launcells Barton it was a chance I couldn’t pass up!

So how did you make the move to becoming Assistant Wedding Coordinator?

When I was younger I worked for a few pubs and hotels; I always enjoyed interacting with people and it was at that point I had my first experiences of being involved with weddings.

The dream job had always been to work within the industry full time as it plays to my skill set – I love the whole process, from meeting with a couple for the first time through to planning their day and then helping them turn it into a reality!

Great! So you’re settling in well?

I’m really enjoying it! I love the drive that everyone here has to make each wedding as unique and special as the next. No two days or weddings are ever the same, and continually trying to exceed people’s expectations is something that’s been incredibly enjoyable and rewarding – we get some fantastic feedback which makes it all worthwhile!

What is your favourite part of your new role?

There’s nothing like the buzz of a wedding day – we know that this will be one of the most special and cherished of that person’s life – it’s not just another wedding for us, we really care and want them to enjoy it as much as possible – it’s that passion that I really enjoy!

And what do you think is the most important part of your job?

Listening! It’s essential that you understand what your couple want and need from their day. Being organised and writing it all down helps too!

There must be a lot to think about! What has been your best moment so far?

At the end of October, I managed my first wedding, single handedly. Although a little nervous as it is quite a lot of pressure as you would expect, everything went perfectly and we were able to give the happy couple a day to remember. They thanked me personally and I had such a sense of achievement, I really do genuinely care about all of our clients.

What are your thoughts on the recent royal wedding announcement?

Ha! It’s funny you ask that, I have just been reading up on the latest! I am a true romantic at heart so I get caught up in these types of things – makes me certain I am in the right line of work!

What a coincidence! How would you describe Launcells?

It is a typically Cornish and stunning venue, set in beautiful countryside. And of course there’s a great team behind it, who are guaranteed to make all of your wedding dreams come true!

Do you have any hobbies?

Well having two young children means I am extremely busy, but I love being a mum and spending time with them very much.

And finally, how would you describe yourself in three words

Happy, approachable and kind!

If you’d like more information on holding your wedding at Launcells Barton then please do give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

You’ve picked the perfect venue, you’ve started whittling the guest list down and you’re all set to go with the best man and bridesmaids feverishly making plans for your hen and stag dos.

But how about the catering? Whether it’s braised beef, melting meringues or a trio of delicious desserts, selecting the right caterer can not only provide you with great food but also take a lot of stress from your proverbial plate.

Here are our top tips on how to get the right caterer for your wedding…

Deciding your budget

As with every other element of your wedding the catering is going to need a budget. When it comes to food this is usually calculated per head, so the first question you’re going to have to ask yourself is, how many heads are there going to be?

Also consider how many children will be attending your big day – these can often be priced differently and will need to be taken into account when it comes to selecting your options – a child’s palette can be very different to that of an adult!

If you’re inviting children we’re able to help out and ensure that tables are child-friendly, free from glass and ready for the little ones to enjoy!

Make sure there’s a clear understanding of what’s included and what you need

Be sure to get a clear understanding of what’s available at your venue when it comes to catering in order to avoid you having additional costs being added to your initial catering quote. Will they be providing staff, cutlery and plates? Some caterers will include this in their packages, whilst others may quote separately.

At Launcells we have a fitted kitchen for caterers to use in order to support them in delivering you with your dream food or meal. It also means they don’t need to pay out for a catering tent, equipment and gas or electricity – costs that would otherwise need to be passed on to you.

Sit down meal or more informal dining?

When you picture your wedding do you imagine sitting in a room with a carefully executed table plan, surrounded by friends and family enjoying their formal three course meal, or a more informal scene, guests mingling and popping out for a hog roast when they fancy?

Whatever you vision may be, you’ll need to find a caterer that’s in their element when it comes to the style of catering you’re after. Be sure to ask if they’ve catered for similar styles in the past, perhaps ask if they have references for those weddings and be sure to listen to any advice they give you as they’ll have undoubtedly learnt the best way to deliver your perfect plan!

Could you ask someone’s advice?

There’s no better recommendation than from someone you know and trust, or from experiencing it yourself! Have you recently been to a wedding where the food simply blew you away? Perhaps people you know could recommend the caterer they used?

Researching potential supplier websites is very different to seeing them in action and the final product on your plate, so definitely take onboard recommendations from those closest to you, as well as your own experiences.

Once you’ve found someone that fits your budget, knows what you want and is perfectly positioned and experienced to deliver it, you’ll want to check that what you’re wanting is doable and also going to work! Many caterers will offer tasting sessions – if yours does, then this is an opportunity well worth taking up, not just to taste some fantastic food but to ensure what you’re ordering is going to be enjoyable once out of your mind and onto the plate!

If you’d like more information on holding your wedding at Launcells Barton then please do give us a call on 01288 352352 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

In October we saw the beautiful autumnal wedding of John and Carly who we first met last year, before the new Reception Barn was yet to see any of it’s foundations laid. Carly grew up on a farm herself and wanted that countryside feel for their wedding. Luckily, being used to rural life meant they could see past all the mud as renovations got underway!

John is a master distiller and recreated the original recipe of Trevethan Cornish Gin from the 1920’s, bringing it back to life and giving it the iconic art deco look you see today!

John & Carly’s close friends and family helped them set up the day before their wedding, so on the morning of their wedding, Carly and John only had worry about getting ready and enjoying their big day!

The ceremony was held in the Mill Barn and was decorated simply with lanterns lining the aisle and small bud vases filled with flowers on the registrar table, gorgeous for an October wedding and the duskier light.

Once Craig Chapman had put the finishing touches to Carly’s hair and make up, it was then time for the bridal party to make their way to the ceremony! Carly’s Bridesmaids and all the Groomsmen were in navy and burgundy, which was just perfect for their autumnal wedding and brought Carly’s stunning beaded blush gown out beautifully!

The sun was just popping it’s head out after the ceremony, so guests were able to go outside into the courtyard and garden to enjoy their welcome drinks reception, and what else would you expect the newlyweds to offer their guests other than a G&T made with their own amazing gin!

The newlyweds even snuck off for some time to themselves!

It was then time to ask their guests to make their way to the reception barn for their meal! John & Carly kept everything really simple with fairy lights draped across the beams and Bleujen popped in on the morning of their wedding and styled the tables with church candles and foliage, with subtle navy touches.

Rocs Catering rustled up a beautiful BBQ style wedding breakfast for everyone, with geusts being able to help themselves from the sharing platters.

After speeches- where tears of laughter rolled down my eyes from the Father of the Brides speech! Everyone mingled in the bar while their band Riviera dogs set up for the evening! Everyone was up on the dance floor singing and dancing the night away, to all the classics!

A few words from the happy couple– John and I both grew up within an hour of Bude and we wanted a venue that epitomised both my rural upbringing and Johns love of the countryside. Launcells Barton did just that. The amazing view from the front of the house across fields and fields of Cornish countryside was the first thing that struck us as we pulled up for our first viewing. The Farm House and the surrounding Barns were also beautifully renovated but still in keeping with its farming history. On the day Lara and Matt were the perfect hosts, allowing us enough space to conduct our Wedding just how we had imagined it; but never be too far away if we needed help and assistance. The planning and timing on the day was perfect and it made such a difference having Lara on hand to make sure we didn’t miss a thing. We wouldn’t have changed one single thing about the entire weekend.

Congratulations to John and Carly, we wish you every happiness in your marriedlife together!

Your wedding venue is going to be an incredibly important part of your big day and will also play a huge role in many of the decisions you go on to make; from where the entertainment can be situated and set up, right through to the potential colour schemes you choose and the photographs that will capture each and every moment from the day.

It’s a decision you’ll spend plenty of time thinking about as a couple and one you’ll want to make sure you get right. We aim to make each wedding as special as possible and to help you plan and deliver the day you always wanted, so if you’re currently considering potential venues let us explain how we can make it happen for you…

Contacting us and making your initial visit

The search for a wedding venue often starts with a website, but how do you really know how things will work and what they’ll look like in real life? Once we’ve answered any initial questions you may have and sent you all of the information you’ll need to help you make your choice, many of our couples will come and view our venue to get a feel for the place, to understand how it will work for them and to ensure it’s the perfect fit.

Every wedding is different and unique; we know this and we understand this, so as we walk around our venue we’ll try to give you as many ideas for the day as we can, using our experience of what has worked particularly well for some of our previous brides and grooms.

Saying ‘I do’ to Launcells Barton

The perfect place and the perfect date is what every bride hopes for, so if you’ve decided that Launcells Barton hits the mark for both of those, we’ll hold your date for seven days in order to allow you to sign all of the paperwork and make a deposit, after which your date is then secured.

The first of many exciting moments to come!

Once all of those formalities are done and dusted it really is full steam ahead with planning!

Re-visiting Launcells Barton

We know there’s a lot to think about on your first visit and you may want to show off the venue to some of your close family in advance, or re-visit us in order to work out the practicalities of some of the elements of your day with us or other suppliers. We can welcome couples back to our venue twice before their big day, which is usually enough to ensure that your day is perfectly planned and your mind is at rest.

Planning your big day

Communication is key when planning such a special occasion, so we’ve honed and tweaked our processes to ensure we help you as much as possible. The first element of this is our wedding coordination form, which we’ll send out as soon as you’ve confirmed your date.

For some couples this has proven to be a real god-send, as it lays out everything you need to be thinking about and organising throughout the day – the timings, who’s doing what, the suppliers you need to get in contact with; it really does give a real focus and a tick list of things that need to be completed.

A handy info guide!

Sometimes when you’re planning a wedding it’s when it gets to bedtime that you start to think about a million and one things you should or need to be doing. To make sure you’re never caught short we’ve created a handy info guide for our brides, so that all of your questions – whether it be the size of the tables or anything else at our venue – are answered with the information you need no matter what time of the day.

Support when you need it

From the moment you visit to the end of your wedding day, we really are here to do as much as we can to make it the day you’d always hoped for, and to hopefully take the stress off of your shoulders so you can enjoy the occasion from start to finish.

Back in September we saw Allison and James become man and wife, but it certainly wasn’t an easy ride for them to get there! Allison is originally from Florida in America and met James while exploring London with a view to stay and work in London for a bit and then return home. The couple fell in love and it wasn’t soon until James popped the question!

With James having family with a home in Bude and the couple holidaying in Bude often, they decided to visit Launcells Barton, but with a view to rule out Cornwall as being too far away for their international guests to travel, unfortunately James and Allison were able to see past all the building works going on at the time and decided they didn’t want it anywhere else!

Soon after deciding on their wedding venue and their wedding plans starting to take shape, Allison received a letter to say that her new job had ticked the wrong box on her work visa and was ordered to leave the country within 14 days!! Allison now not only had the task of trying to get back into the UK, but also planning a wedding – that she hoped would still go ahead- from afar! James and his sister Sophia visited after the new Reception Barn was completed and we sent video tours and images back to Allison so that she could see everything and not feel a million miles away! After getting lawyers involved and a lot of stress, Allison was finally able to fly back to the UK and continue organising everything for the wedding. With the couple choosing to marry in St Swithin’s Church and not living in the parish, they had to complete a 10 day residency within the Parish in order to be allowed to get married at the Church. Not being able to find any accommodation at short notice, they decided to camp one night ended up barricading themselves in from the 100’s of slugs that had decided to descend on them! They say the first year of marriage is the hardest, but I think after what these two have been through in the first six months of their engagement, it will be a walk in the park!

Allison is actually an event planner herself and I have to say she was a dream to work with! All the T’s were crossed and I’s dotted and not a single detail was missed! James is a surgeon in London and, although the profession is not normally known for excel skills, he had all 20 spreadsheets that Allison had asked him to organise down perfectly!

Alison got ready in the house with all her friends and family surrounding her. Meanwhile, James organised a surf in Bude before getting ready with his family and groomsmen. They even took a stroll along the beach to settle their nerves!

Every thought and detail had gone into making sure their 172 guests had a fantastic day from the moment they arrived – they even put out flat shoes for the ladies for the walk down to the Church!

It was soon time for guests to take their seats and the Bridal party to make their way to the Church!

Allison was walked down the aisle by her younger brother and looked beautiful in a low backed, all over lace fitted dress, finished with a cathedral length veil.

With personal readings and musical performances by friends, the ceremony was full of love and laughter.

After their ceremony guests lined the path from the Church to Launcells Barton, ready for the newlyweds to walk through a cascade of confetti, while we gave guests who couldn’t quite manage the walk up to the venue, a lift back on our tractor!

A Jazz band welcomed guests as they arrived for welcome drinks and games in the courtyard and garden. With half the guests being from America and half being from the UK, team games were laid out for guests to get competitive over while the couple snuck off for some photos!

The couple then joined all their friends and family for the rest of the welcome drinks reception, before everyone took their seats for the wedding breakfast.

The couple and all their friends and family had decorated the Reception Barn the day before and had not missed a single detail! The barn was filled with stunning autumnal deep reds and foliage, with gold vases and candles lining the trestle tables. Bleujen provided amazing flower installations that hung from the beams. Allison and James even gave each guest a personalised conversation starter, by putting a question on each place card that they could ask the person opposite!

My favourite part of any wedding day is announcing the Bride and Groom into their wedding breakfast and this was certainly no different! The room erupted with cheers from all their friends and family as the newlyweds made their way to their seats!

Bringing both sides of the Atlantic together, the couple decided to mix UK & American traditions and have speeches between courses. Beautiful and The Feast catered the whole day, with guests helping themselves to sharing platters on each table.

Allison and James were then whisked off on the back of the tractor to catch the sunset!

Blue Lion Band got the evening started as the Bride and Groom had their first dance, which went into ” I would walk 500 miles” by The Proclaimers which I thought was very appropriate, after everything they had been through!

A Few Words From Alison- “Every bride dreams up the perfect wedding day and looking back, that is just what we had! There isn’t one thing I would change about our special day, and so much of that comes down to the venue and incredible atmosphere set by Matt, Lara, and the team at Launcells. Despite living in London and organising guests from all over the world, the planning was made easy and fun as we partnered with Matt and Lara, who became instant friends. Launcells has all the amenities of a high-end wedding site, and yet maintains the relaxed, family-feel of Cornwall that we so desired. I loved being able to put our own touches on the wedding, bringing to life all of those Pinterest-worthy ideas I had gathered! Above all, the day was made perfect by having all our friends and family in one place to celebrate with us. As James and I rushed off to snag that dreamy sunset photo (made possible by Lara’s expert timing!), we looked back and saw our guests laughing, chatting, and making forever memories on a gloriously sunny Cornish day. Kids ran alongside the tractor cheering us on and we took in the beauty of our favourite day, just before dancing the night away with all of our favourite people. To put it simply, it was the best day ever”

Lisa Webb traveled from Shropshire to capture Allison and James’ special day. I think we can all agree that she caught the day perfectly with these stunning images of not only the couple, but all their friends and family that enjoyed the day with them too!

James and Alison’s day was as an absolute pleasure to be a part of, it was like witnessing 2 friends getting married and all their friends and family were just so welcoming! We may or may not have been up, until the early hours having a few drinks with the Brides American family! We could not wish you both enough love and happiness for the future and we’re sure that we will see you soon, when you escape for a break to the coast!

Your wedding day will be one of the biggest, most memorable of your life, so it goes without saying, you want it to pass as perfectly as possible. When you look back on your day you’ll do so with much fondness, but despite the months and months of meticulous planning, will there be anything that makes you think, ‘with hindsight I’d do that a little differently!’

As an exclusive venue, we’ve worked with many couples to make the things they’ve been planning for months a reality, so let’s take a look at some of the most commonly reported wedding day regrets from couples across the country, and make sure you avoid them and become as happy the bride and grooms that share their most special day with us…

1. “I regret not having a videographer.”

I picture paints a thousand words, so it’s not surprising that videographers are becoming increasingly popular at weddings up and down the country. Whilst a great photographer will capture moments from the day that will live with you forever, a video of those enjoying and sharing it with you can add another dimension to your memories.

At Launcells Barton we’ve worked with a number of photographers and videographers; we’re always happy to talk through ideas and guide them to the most magic of places from which to get their shots so you get the best possible end results.

2. “I regret not planning for all weathers.”

No matter what time of year you tie the knot, there’s nothing as fickle as the great British weather, which can quickly melt the best laid of plans if you’re not prepared. Make sure if you’re having a country wedding that you have alternative footwear to avoid any muddy mishaps and think of creative ways you could potentially combat the inclement weather – coloured umbrellas can be a real eye catcher for wedding photos!

As a venue we’ve seen our fair share of sun, but naturally there have been some weddings which have been slightly wetter; we’ll always keep an eye on the forecast and work with our couples to prepare them for every eventuality.

3. “I regret not hiring the whole venue.”

As an exclusive venue we’re not surprised to hear that this is one of the most commonly cited regrets for brides. When you book a venue you want to know it’s yours for your big day, that you won’t be sharing it with strangers, they won’t form the backdrop to your photos and you’ll not need to compromise on space and timings.

When you hire an exclusive venue such as ours, we make every effort for the day to be all about you, your family and your loved-ones; exactly as it should be!

4. “I regret going on honeymoon the day after.”

Don’t underestimate how tired you may feel the day after your wedding – especially if it doesn’t end until the early hours! The idea of being whisked off on honeymoon the next day may seem romantic but it could also end up being a little overwhelming and exhausting. Some brides wish they had taken a day or two to recoup, and if you’re wanting to then what better place than the open countryside and sandy beaches of Cornwall!

5. “I regret not having my makeup done professionally.”

As a bride this may be a day you’ve been thinking about for much of your life, so it’s only right that you have the perfect hair, the perfect dress and the perfect makeup to accompany you down the aisle. Whilst having a makeup artist would be a tad decedent in everyday life, this isn’t your average day, so don’t be one of those brides who wish they had their hair and makeup professionally done on the day but decided against it.

At Launcells we’ll have all of the facilities to make you look truly beautiful on your big day.

If you’re currently looking for a wedding venue in Cornwall, please do give us a call on 01288 352 352 – we’d be happy to discuss how we can make sure your day is the one you’ve always wanted.

A key part of any wedding will be for you to spend and share it with the people you love and those closest to you. For many it’s also about family, and those family members can sometimes be of all ages – whether it’s elderly grandparents or that adorable pageboy that steals the show.

We’ve had plenty of experience in welcoming wedding parties of all sizes, and ages, to Launcells Barton, so here are our tips on how to have a brilliant day where the kids can play and enjoy it with you.

Involve them in the ceremony

People love to be involved and children are no different, so if you tell them they have a very important task, whether it’s to be a flower girl or a ring bearer during the ceremony, it’s likely they will not only treasure the responsibility, but also be on their best behavior when all eyes are on them!

They’ll also make for some very cute photos you can cherish and pull out at family get-togethers for many years to come, much to their dismay!

Check if you can have a child’s menu

It’s a good idea to ask your caterers if they’re able to offer any child specific options. Younger family members will understandably have different tastes, so if you are opting for a sit down meal try to provide the parents with a couple of options to choose from. If you’re having a buffet, make sure there are a good mix of dishes, with some suitable for children which aren’t too rich or spicy.

Also consider those times outside of the set meal and canapes – are you going to provide kids with snacks to ensure they don’t get too low on energy, whilst of course not plying them with too much sugar? Some caterers will provide little lunch packs for the kids to have during the welcome drinks so they don’t get too hungry, meaning the adult can eat without worrying about them during the meal.

Be mindful when drawing up your seating plan

Seating plans take careful consideration and can be tricky to get right, so if you’re bringing the kids you’re likely to have a few extra things to think about. Depending on their age, you could let them have their own table; this can reduce boredom and increase the fun they have – you just need to make sure they’re of an age to be trusted with this responsibility. If the children are younger and need to be with their parents make sure you check with the venue that they will be able to provide highchairs and it won’t feel cramped.

Make it fun!

Keeping the kids entertained throughout the day can sometimes be a tricky task, especially when toddlers can easily start to get hungry, bored or sleepy. In the past we have had people set up little tipis with cushions and colouring books for the children, making it into their own little den!

If you’re holding your wedding during the warmer months, lawn games have become very popular and are fun for young and old, as well as being quick and easy to set up. There are also a huge range of wedding games and entertainment you could explore; we can point you in the direction of some of the best we’ve worked with previously. Before now we have had couples hire bouncy castles and even crazy golf –which always goes down well!

Make your DJ aware

It’s sensible to let your DJ know there will be children bopping about during the evening. He may remove some songs from his playlist which wouldn’t be suitable and will hopefully add in a few crowd pleasers which children will love getting up and dancing to!

Work together with your venue

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, work together with your venue. Their aim is to make your day special and stress-free, and if you let them know there’ll be children attending in advance, it could be that they have a few tricks and ideas up their sleeve to make it as enjoyable for everyone, no matter what their age.

If you’re looking at wedding venues in Cornwall and would like to discuss your big day with us, give us a call on 01288 352352 or email hello@launcellsbarton.co.uk.